Tiger Owl

Chapter 132 News from Nanyang
In the afternoon, Gan Ning returned to the inner quarters, where only Da Qiao was alone.

Upon seeing her husband return, Da Qiao happily rushed into his arms. She had missed him terribly for days, and her neck ached from looking at him so long.

Gan Ning kissed her pretty face and asked with a smile, "Where are Yun Qing and Xiao Qiao?"

"She was dragged shopping by Xiao Qiao, along with Yang Ping'er and Qiao Xingxing, the four of them together."

Why didn't you come along?

Da Qiao shook her head. "I heard my husband is back, so I'm waiting at home!"

Gan Ning was truly smitten with this beautiful girl. She was gentle and kind, and always thought of him, unlike Xiao Qiao, who was carefree and only thought about herself all day long.

Gan Ning embraced her and led her to the study. The two lingered there for a long time, but unfortunately, Da Qiao was quite traditional and refused to take the final step with him in the study, especially during the day, which she found even more unacceptable.

"We're back, sister! Is there anything to eat? We're starving!"

Xiao Qiao's voice came from the courtyard, and Da Qiao was so startled that she quickly stood up from her husband's arms.

Gan Ning smiled and said, "Call those two in, I have something to say to them."

"Husband, don't blame them."

Gan Ning laughed and said, "What are you thinking? I have something important to do."

Da Qiao waved from the doorway, "Come in!"

"Huh! What's my older sister doing in the study?"

"It must be the general returning."

Xiao Qiao was overjoyed and rushed in like a gust of wind. She jumped up and hugged Gan Ning's neck, asking coquettishly, "When did Gan Lang come back? Did you buy me a gift?"

Xu Wei walked in slowly, her face flushed. She was already used to Xiao Qiao's unbridled behavior in front of her future husband, and she felt embarrassed that she had also gone out shopping.

Gan Ning pinched Xiao Qiao's pretty face and said with a smile, "Sit down, I have something important to tell you."

All three of them sat down obediently.

"We might have to move!"

Gan Ning's words left the three women exchanging bewildered glances. Da Qiao quickly asked, "Husband, where shall we move to?"

"Move back to Chaisang!"

Gan Ning laughed and said, "It's not just us, everyone has to move. Chaisang is currently expanding and building houses. At the earliest by the end of this year, and at the latest by March next year, our capital will be moved from Nanchang County to Chaisang. I'm letting you know in advance so you can prepare calmly."

Da Qiao then found her mother, Yang, and told her about the move. Yang's eyes lit up, and she quickly pulled her daughter and said, "Tell General Gan tonight to build a small Buddhist shrine for me in the new house in Chaisang."

"Mother! It's not a good idea to build a Buddhist shrine in the back courtyard."

"I don't need to live in the back courtyard. Just build me a small Buddhist shrine in the villa. Ah Zhu, please speak to her for me!"

Da Qiao also knew that her mother had always longed for a small Buddhist shrine. If they weren't in the inner quarters, she could have mentioned it to her husband.

"Alright! I'll tell Mom."

Madam Yang was overjoyed, "She's really my precious daughter! Go quickly! Don't forget to tell her tonight."

"I see!"

As night fell, after a tender and affectionate night, Da Qiao told Gan Ning about her mother, and Gan Ning readily agreed.

"It's a small matter. I'll set aside the west courtyard for my mother-in-law to live in and build her a small Buddhist shrine." Da Qiao was delighted and hugged her husband's neck, saying, "Then Yun Qing can also move into the inner courtyard."

Gan Ning hesitated for a moment, "Well... you should ask her yourself. I don't object; she can move in if she wants."

"no!"

Da Qiao immediately realized, "If she moves into the inner quarters, Xiao Qiao will follow."

Gan Ning smiled and said, "Don't think too much about it. Things will work themselves out."

Da Qiao whispered something shyly in her husband's ear, and Gan Ning laughed and immediately flipped over to pin her down.

"The boat will straighten itself when it reaches Qiaotou," what are you thinking? Let's test whether this Qiaotou is straight or not.

November arrived in the blink of an eye, and the south entered early winter, while the north entered the depths of winter.

Inside the official residence, Lu Su was reporting to Gan Ning on the latest war situation in the north: "Cao Cao has withdrawn his troops from Hebei to Baima, Gao Gan has also withdrawn his troops back to Taiyuan, and the Xiongnu have also withdrawn. The battlefields on both the east and west sides have quieted down."

Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said, "Gao Gan and the Xiongnu had to retreat because of winter, otherwise their logistics would not be able to keep up. As for Cao Cao's retreat to the south, it should be because he realized that he could reap the benefits by letting the two brothers kill each other. He sent troops too early, which actually united the two brothers."

"My lord is right. It was a wise move for Cao Cao to retreat south."

"How is Liu Bei's Northern Expedition going?" Gan Ning asked again.

"Liu Bei's army was intercepted by Cao Cao's generals Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Li Dian's 50,000 troops at Yecheng. It is said that Liu Bei used fire oil bottles to set fire to Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin, killing thousands of enemies and winning two battles. Liu Bei has now retreated south, and Cao Cao's army has also retreated back to Xuchang."

Gan Ning nodded. Liu Bei's victory was the Battle of Bowangpo.

"Where did Liu Bei retreat to in the south?" Gan Ning asked again.

"We've retreated to Wancheng!"

Just as I expected, Liu Bei occupied Nanyang Commandery, and the real show began.

Gan Ning walked a few steps with his hands behind his back. Suddenly, he felt that he might have misunderstood. Liu Bei's real purpose in the Northern Expedition was probably to take the opportunity to seize Liu Biao's army. He could not stay in Xinye with peace of mind. How could Liu Biao allow Liu Bei to stay in Xinye for a long time?

Liu Bei's victory over Cao Cao's army in this Northern Expedition made Liu Biao realize his value. It is very likely that Liu Biao will reach a compromise with Liu Bei and lend him Nanyang Commandery, just as he lent Wancheng to Zhang Xiu.

In this way, Liu Bei would serve as a shield against Cao Cao's army, and Liu Bei and Liu Biao might reconcile. Then Liu Bei could gradually seize Liu Biao's property. Didn't his later seizure of Liu Qi's army and territory prove this point?

From this perspective, Liu Bei was indeed a formidable figure and should not be underestimated.

Lu Su then said, "Cao Cao's energy is focused on Hebei, and he probably won't have time to attend to it for the next few years. This is a good opportunity for us to expand."

"Is the strategist referring to the three counties of Jingnan or Huang Zu?"

Lu Su shook his head and said, "The three counties of Jingnan are not of great value. Keeping them for now can block the northward advance of Jiaozhou forces. I suggest that we take down Huang Zu next year, and it would be best if we could also eliminate Sun Ben and seize Lujiang County and Jiujiang County."

Gan Ning smiled slightly and said, "Don't we need to consider Jiangdong's feelings?"

Lu Su sighed and said, "Jiangdong's refusal to use Sun Quan's sister for a marriage alliance is just an excuse. The real reason is that they are still obsessed with Yuzhang Commandery. This alliance is just a stopgap measure for them, and we don't need to give up our own vital interests for this alliance."

Lu Su's words truly pleased Gan Ning. He had always thought that Lu Su's efforts to promote the alliance between Gan Ning and Sun Quan were because Lu Su had old feelings for Jiangdong. Now it was proven that Lu Su still valued Yuzhang County.

Thinking of this, Gan Ning smiled and said, "If we can't move the capital before the end of the year, let's postpone it until next spring!"

Lu Su said apologetically, "The main problem is that the official residence hasn't been built yet. It should be ready by the end of January next year."

Gan Ning nodded, "Then let's move the capital in February after the spring season begins."

(End of this chapter)